Milking

[Louisa Gidney]

Why does hand milking require a set of muscles that appear to be used for no other function? I've managed a quart from one quarter before my hand seized up and the cow got totally fed up with proceedings. However, we're both doing much better than last year. I'm getting more milk and she's fidgeting less. Since she's a short-leg with a huge udder, much grovelling on knees is required so I'm very glad she's not tried to kick seriously. Especially as her show career was cut short by a spectacular display of bad behaviour both in the ring and in the lines. Milk warm from the cow really is scrummy, not much is making it's way home for coffee, let alone the eventual ambition of cheese making.

[Saffy]

Well done you!

Stephanie

[ann]

Why does hand milking require a set of muscles that appear to be used for no other function?

I know exactly what you mean, I tend to think the biological clock does not help, as a child I use to milk our full sized house cow and you had to compete with her calf which was a big challenge, and hope you got a bucket full before the calf started butting the cow as the milk supply on its side decreased. Although milk is suppose to be good for ones complex, you where never prepared for the occasion when they butted the bucket and you got a face full

Now I can usually get a couple of pints from a new calfer before my hand ceases up